What the Mets starting lineup would look like if the season started today

MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred called. He wants to start the season today. Not too many MLB teams would put together a starting lineup with the kind of strength that would make them look postseason-bound. This winter has dragged along slowly and teams like the New York Mets still have gaping holes in their lineup.

If the season started today, what kind of lineup could the Mets conceivably put together?

What the Mets starting lineup could look like if the season began today

Brandon Nimmo CF
Starling Marte RF
Francisco Lindor SS
Pete Alonso 1B
Jeff McNeil 2B
Francisco Alvarez C
DJ Stewart/Mark Vientos DH
Brett Baty 3B
Tyrone Taylor LF

How many games would this lineup win? If we account for even just Starling Marte being his 2022 self and Francisco Alvarez taking the next step forward, the Mets do have a strong first six in the lineup. The talent drops off greatly at the tail end. Those three lineup questions continue to need improvement before Opening Day.

What’s more, we cannot trust Marte to remain fully healthy. He missed significant time at the end of 2022. Half of last season was a wash. When he was on the field, Marte was a fraction of the player he was in the past.

The Mets have some wiggle room for additions. Stewart and Vientos have minor league options as does Baty. Taylor should be pushed out of this proposed starting lineup in favor of a true starting outfielder. A fine addition to the Mets, an Opening Day lineup with him is a poor plan.

A better and realistic Opening Day lineup for the Mets

The Mets should find themselves a DH to put behind Pete Alonso in the lineup. Justin Turner? J.D. Martinez? In left field, it’s acceptable to land either Adam Duvall or Eddie Rosario and bat them near the bottom of the lineup.

We’ll probably need to accept Baty hitting eighth or ninth with Alvarez possibly even falling down the order out of the need to separate some of the lefties. How about this for Opening Day?

Brandon Nimmo CF
Starling Marte RF
Francisco Lindor SS
Pete Alonso 1B
Justin Turner DH
Jeff McNeil 2B
Adam Duvall LF
Brett Baty 3B
Francisco Alvarez C

There hasn’t been a single peep about the Mets and any of the free agent outfielders other than Michael A. Taylor whose greatest gift is defense. Duvall, who has won a Gold Glove in the past, is a far more consistent power hitter and more ideal match for the Mets. Add him and Turner to this lineup. It won’t cost a lot or require a long commitment.